Mock gay weddings held to protest Prop. 8

Chapman University student David Thompson, right, exchanges candy rings with boyfriend Elliot Lam, 24, during their symbolic marriage at the fifth annual Pride Weddings event on campus. The pair received a Certificate of Pride during the event. At rear is Sandra Hague, who officiated.EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ORANGE – While all sides wait for the U.S. Supreme Court to potentially rule on the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 banning gay marriage, Prop. 8 opponents at Chapman University staged mock same-sex marriages Wednesday in support of making such unions legal.

Susana Branch, the university's academic events coordinator, was one of two Chapman faculty members who led the ceremonies hosted by the university's Queer Straight Alliance chapter.

As a licensed officiant who leads wedding ceremonies on weekends, she volunteered her afternoon to facilitate the mock weddings. In her sermon, Branch summarized for participants at the altar the status of same-sex marriage in all 50 states, and acknowledged that such a marriage is still not considered constitutional.

However, the students seeking "marriage" on Wednesday afternoon were not all couples. Branch, who has helped administer the weddings off and on since 2009, said many roommates and friends who support gay marriage participate in the ceremony every year regardless of sexual orientation.

Though the organization does not keep a record of the weddings it leads, she said anywhere from 30 to 50 students wed with the Alliance each year.

"My script has changed through the years as more states allow civil unions," Branch said.

A Chapman student and junior theatre major who goes by her drag king name, Charlie Doyle, said those on campus who oppose gay marriage do not confront the alliance directly.

She said she sometimes sees torn or vandalized alliance event posters where the event details are no longer readable.

Alliance President David Thompson, a senior majoring in film production, said he is happy the court is considering the measure.

Tanna Jacob, 42, and Cordelia House, 22, both senior psychology majors, said Chapman is good at acknowledging events such as the mock weddings. Jacob was notified about the event by Dean of Students Jerry Price's weekly email notification.

Branch said the university still has a covenant with its founding denomination, Disciples of Christ, and that the Christian church is supportive of equality and diversity on campus.

Mychal Thompson, 24, a screen-writing major, said he has been getting "married" every year since he came to Chapman in 2010. Though they both have girlfriends, he married his friend, Vaughn Ryan, a freshman public relations and advertising major, for the impact it would have for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in showing their support.

"The discussion is old now," Thompson said. "It is time to move on."

However, Gary Lawrence disagreed. He's a pollster and former Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints grass-roots director and runs Lawrence Research based in Santa Ana. He said that when it comes to legalizing gay marriage, new is not necessarily better.

"Marriage preceded man-made government," Lawrence said. "I don't think the argument that God created marriage should be replaced. Marriage has been around since sexes have been."

He argued that the issue involved defining marriage as a "timeless principle" and its traditional definition should be upheld.

"It is a constitutional amendment," Lawrence said. "The people have spoken. Let them go out and get votes in favor of repealing the constitutional amendment we passed, or let it stand."

Chapman University student David Thompson, right, exchanges candy rings with boyfriend Elliot Lam, 24, during their symbolic marriage at the fifth annual Pride Weddings event on campus. The pair received a Certificate of Pride during the event. At rear is Sandra Hague, who officiated. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chapman University student Amanda Le, 20, center "proposes" to friend Nayobi Maldonado, 19, during the fifth annual Pride Weddings event on campus. The day allowed couples of all sexual orientations and friends to become Pride Month partners through symbolic wedding ceremonies. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chapman University student Alina Ambrosino, left, wears her support on her socks while giving her vows to friend Cindy Win at the Pride Weddings event on campus. Ambrosino hoped to "marry" eight of her friends, if she could squeeze all the ceremonies in between her classes. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chapman University student David Thompson, right, locks arms with boyfriend Elliot Lam, 24, to suck on their exchanged candy rings during their symbolic marriage at the 5th Annual Pride Weddings event on campus. The pair received a 'Certificate of Pride' during the event. At rear is Sandra Hague, who officiated over the ceremony. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Chapman University student, who goes by the name Charlie Doyle, beams with joy after getting her Ring Pop from friend Monica Nguyen at the 5th Annual Pride Weddings event on campus. The pair exchanged rings while tying the knot at the symbolic ceremony to show support for same-sex marriage. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chapman University roommates Charleen Du, left and Cindy Win exchange Ring Pops candy rings during their symbolic union at the 5th Annual Pride Weddings event on campus. The friends were declared Pride Month partners during the ceremony. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chapman University student David Thompson, right, kisses boyfriend Elliot Lam, 24, during their symbolic marriage at the 5th Annual Pride Weddings event on campus. The pair received a 'Certificate of Pride' and exchanged candy rings during the event. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chapman University student David Thompson, left, embraces boyfriend Elliot Lam, 24, after their symbolic marriage at the 5th Annual Pride Weddings event on campus. The pair received a 'Certificate of Pride' and exchanged candy rings during the event. EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chapman University students wait in line for their symbolic marriages at the 5th Annual Pride Weddings event on campus. The day allowed couples of all sexual orientations and friends to be declared 'Pride Month partners.' EUGENE GARCIA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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